Top 5 Steps to Get Out of Your Rut and Create Change Now
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In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—shares five concrete actions to stop the “maybe next week” cycle and make progress this week. From restricting freedom in problem contexts to learning prong-collar leash communication, introducing meaningful consequences, and ditching toxic training advice, Kati lays out a simple plan you can start today.
Episode Highlights
- Restrict freedom where issues occur: Use crate, leash, or place so rehearsed problems can’t happen; freedom returns once behavior is reliable.
- Prioritize training: Stop waiting for life to “slow down.” Schedule sessions, enlist help, or bring your dog along to get reps in real life.
- Leash communication: Fit a prong collar high and snug (2.25 mm or 3 mm) with a flat-collar backup; use pressure and pops for clear, calm guidance.
- Introduce negative consequences: Rewards teach new skills, but reliability comes from fair, tangible corrections (e.g., leash pops, bonk, e-collar).
- Ditch toxic advice: Stop consuming “positive-only fixes everything” content. Seek before/after results and methods that include accountability.
Minute-by-Minute Breakdown
- 00:00 – Stuck in a rut? Five actions to create change this week; welcome & trigger warning.
- 00:47 – Who we are: Diamond K9 (Biddeford, ME); e-collar obedience and behavior modification.
- 01:48 – Kati’s puppy “Niblet”: real-life proof that busy schedules derail training if you don’t plan.
- 03:34 – Why waiting for life to “slow down” doesn’t work; the five-step plan.
- 04:22 – #5 Restrict freedom: Crate/leash/place, especially in the contexts where problems happen (guests, when you’re away, etc.).
- 05:13 – Program model: no freedom until mostly trained; clarity first, then privileges.
- 06:52 – #4 Prioritize training: Put sessions on the calendar; enlist help or bring the dog along for reps.
- 09:46 – Commit, don’t “hope”; tailor solutions to your week so training actually happens.
- 11:12 – #3 Leash communication: Why harnesses hinder; prong fit/sizing, flat-collar backup, and silent guidance.
- 14:09 – Pressure vs. pops; “bed of nails” analogy; fixing the walk and settling around people.
- 18:44 – #2 Consequences matter: Stop Pez-dispensing treats for known skills or bad behavior; reliability needs fair corrections.
- 20:37 – Yelling isn’t a consequence; examples: leash pop, bonk, e-collar; avoid creating arousal with constant food.
- 23:47 – #1 Ditch bad advice: The problem with “positive-only solves everything”; look for A→B→C (before, process, after) proof.
- 25:51 – Myths like “step on the leash” to stop jumping; why it doesn’t teach.
- 29:05 – Rapid recap and action plan; questions welcome at [email protected].